Oregon's Education Showdowns

Oregon has a couple of interesting education-related measures on the ballot this year. Here are the details, which I've added to the ballot measure ...

Oregon has a couple of interesting education-related measures on the ballot this year. Here are the details, which I've added to the ballot measure guide.

Issue: Measure 58, which would prohibit public school students learning English as a second language from being taught in a language other than English for more than two years.

Analysis: With Measure 58, immigration and education policy collide. Bill Sizemore, a former Republican nominee for governor (and frequent initiative sponsor) is the author. He argues that schools keep students in English-as-a-second-language classes longer than is necessary in order to receive additional state funding. But, many education groups are opposing Measure 58, saying these students end up learning best if they receive a bilingual education until they master English.

Issue: Measure 60, which would prohibit teachers from receiving raises based on seniority and instead require that all raises be awarded on the basis of classroom performance.

Analysis: Merit pay for teachers has been a subject of policy debates for years now. Rarely, though, do we get an opportunity to find out what the public thinks about the topic. Measure 60 is the latest clash between conservative activist Bill Sizemore, the proposal's sponsor, and teachers unions who are strongly against the proposal.